SRS

Name: SRS
Author: SRS

by SRS

Free plan APILinuxMacSelf-hostedWindows

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What SRS is

SRS is a free, open-source real-time video server and media gateway that converts streams between RTMP, SRT, and WebRTC. It also supports HLS, HTTP-FLV, and MPEG-DASH. Documented functions include recording RTMP streams to FLV or MP4 files, ingesting media files, and forwarding streams. External applications can manage SRS through an HTTP API, and HTTP callbacks provide an extension point. Its security feature can allow or deny specified clients. For API access control, the project recommends using an Nginx proxy; callbacks can implement authentication. Deployment guidance covers Docker and Kubernetes, with Helm recommended for Kubernetes. SRS supports Linux, macOS, and Windows, though its FAQ notes unresolved Windows issues. The Docker guide describes publishing streams with FFmpeg or OBS and playing them through VLC or browser-based H5 endpoints. The project describes uses including origin clusters, virtual live streaming, broadcasting, AI video and audio processing, and reducing live-streaming expenses. SRS was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in North York, Ontario, Canada.

Who it suits

SRS may suit teams building streaming workflows that need protocol conversion, stream recording, or forwarding. Its documented deployment guidance and HTTP API are relevant to users integrating or operating a media server.

What it does well

Free, open-source code and documentation.
Supports six listed streaming protocols.
Can record RTMP streams to FLV or MP4.
Deployment guidance covers Docker and Kubernetes.

What to know first

HTTP API authentication support needs enhancement.
Windows has unresolved issues.
Community members are not obligated to provide help.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
SRS	Open-source code and documentation available for free	Free

As ossrs.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

SRS provides broad protocol support and deployment guidance for streaming use cases. Plan API access control carefully, since the project recommends an Nginx proxy.

Facts from SRS's own pages

API and callbacks: SRS provides an HTTP API for external applications to manage SRS and HTTP callbacks to extend it. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
API authentication: The FAQ recommends using an Nginx proxy to restrict access to the HTTP API and says HTTP callbacks can implement authentication. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment: SRS documentation provides Docker and Kubernetes deployment guidance, and recommends Helm for Kubernetes deployments. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Features: Documented features include DVR recording RTMP streams to FLV or MP4 files, ingesting media files, and forwarding streams. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Founded: 2013 · ossrs.io, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · ossrs.io, 20 Sept 2026
Headquarters: North York, Ontario, Canada · ossrs.io, 28 Sept 2026
Integrations: The Docker guide describes publishing streams with FFmpeg or OBS and playing streams with VLC or browser-based H5 endpoints. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Intended use: The maker describes use cases including origin clusters, virtual live streaming, broadcasting, AI video and audio processing, and reducing live-streaming expenses. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
License: The maker's license page says SRS v5 and later use the MIT license. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limit: The FAQ says SRS's HTTP API authentication support should be enhanced and currently recommends an Nginx proxy to address access control. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Operating systems: The FAQ lists Linux, macOS, and Windows among the operating systems SRS supports, while noting unresolved Windows issues. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Protocols: SRS supports RTMP, WebRTC, HLS, HTTP-FLV, SRT, and MPEG-DASH. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: SRS is a real-time video server and media gateway that converts between RTMP, SRT, and WebRTC. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Security: The SRS security feature provides a simple strategy to allow or deny specified clients. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project points users to documentation, community members, Discord, Stack Overflow, and GitHub issues for help; community members are not obligated to provide assistance. · ossrs.io, 11 Oct 2026

SRS